31st  Congress, 
Session. 


[SENATE.] 


Miscellaneous, 
No.  12. 


MEMORIAL 

OF  THE 

CHAMBER  OF  COMMERCE  OF  THE  CITY  OF  MW  YORK, 

PRATING 

Por  the  removed  of  obstructions  to  navigation  at  Hell  Gate^  and  in  the 

Imrhor  of  New  York. 


December  2T,  1849. 

Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Comntierce. 

December  31,  1849. 

Ordered  to  be  printed. 


To  the  honorable  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United 

States  in  Congress  assembled :  / 

The  memorial  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York 
Respectfully  represents  : 

That  the  natural  advantages  and  favorable  position  of  New  York  neces- 
sarily constitute  this  port  the  great  mart  of  commerce,  as  well  as  the 
common  centre  for  the  trade  of  the  Union.  The  vast  increase  in  this 
trade,  and  the  constant  augmentation  in  the  number  of  vessels,  both  great  and 
small,  that  require  the  use  of  the  waters  of  this  harbor,  would  seem  to 
present  a  strong  claim  to  the  favorable  consideration  of  Congress  for  the 
requisite  appropriation  to  remove  those  obstructions  that  interfere  with  the 
convenience  and  security  of  that  extended  navigation,  in  which  all  classes 
and  all  interests  are  directly  or  indirectly  concerned. 

The  outlet  to  the  ocean  by  way  of  the  East  river  and  the  passage  of 
Hurl  Gate,  is  probably  required  and  used  by  as  great  a  number  of  vessels 
of  all  descriptions — though  mostly,  at  present,  of  moderate  size — as  that 
of  almost  any  other  in  the  world;  yet  do  the  dangers  of  that  passage  re- 
main a  standing  reproach  to  the  enterprise  and  improvement  of  the  age. 
A  moderate  expenditure  would  remove  the  difficulty,  by  blowing  up  the 
rocks  that  obstruct  the  channel,  and  thus  make  that  hitherto  dange:'-ous 
strait  not  only  safe  for  the  myriads  of  schooners,  sloops,  and  steamers  that 
are  now  daily  compelled,  when  waiting  for  the  tide,  to  encounter  the  de- 
lay and  risk  occasioned  by  the  intricacy  of  the  channel,  but  that  entrance 
might  be  made  entirel}^  secure  for  merchant  ships  of  any  draught,  as  well 
as  for  ships  of  war  of  the  largest  class. 

The  opening  of  that  channel  would  also  afford  to  our  public  marine 
the  important  advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  cove,  or  harbor,  at  Thiog's 


enabled  to  take  advantage  of  an  outlet  to  the  ocean  either  by  way  of 
Sandy  Hook  or  of  Long  Island  sound. 

The  rocks  in  our  harbor  that  require  removal  consist  of  those  at  or  near 
Hurl  Gate,  and  those  off  the  battery,  with  Diamond  reef"  and  Prince's 
reef;"  most,  if  not  all  of  which,  as  the  Chamber  is  advised,  have  been 
surveyed  by  the  coast  service,  whose  scientific  labors  have  been  produc- 
tive of  so  much  benefit  to  the  commercial  interests  of  the  country. 

In  order  to  show  more  plainly  the  dangers  to  which  our  navigation  is 
exposed  by  these  obstructions,  the  Chamber  respectfully  craves  the  refer- 
ence of  your  honorable  body  to  the  annexed  chart,  on  which  is  laid 
down  the  exact  position  of  the  three  reefs  alluded  to,  by  which  it  will  be 
seen  that  the  distance  in  a  straight  line  from  Diamond  to  Prince's  reef  is 
only  1,600  feet,  and  the  passage  between  them  is  the  ordinary  channel 
through  which  eJI  ships  must  pass  when  going  in  or  out  of  the  East  river, 
the  principal  basin  of  our  harbor. 

The  Chamber  would  also  beg  leave  to  represent,  that  the  services  of  a 
steam  cutter,  of  approved  model  and  great  power  and  speed,  is  often  re- 
quired, particularly  during  the  winter,  to  give  aid  and  succor  to  vessels  in 
distress  ofi"  our  coast,  and  occasionally  to  render  them  assistance  when 
ashore  near  the  entrance  of  our  harbor. . 

An  appropriation  is  accordingly  earnestly  and  respectfully  solicited, 
sufficient  for  the  accomplishment  of  these  objects,  so  absolutely  necessary 
for  the  security  of  our  marine,  and  so  essential  to  the  prosecution  of  our 
increasing  commerce,  the  success  of  which  is  indissolubly  connected  with 
the  general  prosperity  of  the  country. 


At  a  regular  meeting  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce,  held  this  day,  the 
foregoing  memorial — which  was  submitted  by  a  select  committee  previ- 
ously charged  with  the  consideration  of  the  subjects  therein  embraced — 
was  unanimously  adopted  as  the  sense  of  this  Chamber,  and  ordered  to 
be  transmitted  to  both  houses  of  Congress.  » 

Extract  from  the  minutes. 


Chamber  of  Commerce, 
NeiD  York,  December  4,  1849. 


M.  H.  GRINNELL,  President. 


Attest : 
M.  Maury,  SsQretary. 


3 


[  12] 


HURL  GATE  CHANNEL. 

Report  made  by  Lieutenant  Commanding  C.  H.  Davis,  of  survey  of 
Hurl  Gate  channel,  and  communicated  to  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
of  the  city  of  New  York  by  Professor  A.  D.  Bache,  Superintendent  of 
the  Coast  Survey^  and  by  that  body  forxcardcd  to  Congress,  and  printed 
by  order  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  March  14_,  1848. 

Office  OP  THE  Coast  Survey, 
Washington,  February  16,  1848. 

Dear  Sir  :  In  compliance  with  your  instructions,  I  have  made  an  ex- 
amination of  the  Hurl  Gate  passage,  for  the  purpose  of  verifying — as  far 
as  the  season  and  the  short  time  would  allow — the  records  of  this  office, 
and  of  inquiring  into  the  best  means  of  improving  this  important 
channel. 

That  it  is  very  desirable  to  make  such  improvements  as  will  lessen  or 
altogether  remove  the  hazard  attending  the  ordinaiy  navigation  of  Hurl 
Gate,  will  not  be  disputed,  when  it  is  remembered  that  a  veiy  large  pro- 
portion of  the  vast  fleet  of  coasting  vessels  that  go  to  New  York  and  up 
the  North  river  pass  by  this  route,  and  that  it  is  the  hourly  resort  of  steam- 
boats crowded  with  passengers,  and  carrying  the  most  precious  freights. 

Of  the  sailing  vessels  that  enter  the  Hurl  Gate  passage,  it  is  estimated 
that  one  in  fifty  sustains  more  or  less  injury,  by  being  forced  by  the  vio- 
lence of  the  currents  on  the  rocks  or  shoals,  and  the  accident  to  the  Ore- 
gon, which  nearly  proved  fatal  to  her  passengers,  shows  that  even  steam- 
boats, with  a  motive  power  that  keeps  them  under  perfect  control,  and 
guided  by  the  most  experienced  pilots,  are  not  secure  from  peril. 

Such  an  improvement  in  the  channels  of  Hurl  Gate  as  would  render 
them  navigable  to  vessels  of  all  classes  under  common  circumstances, 
would  supply  to  the  commerce  of  New  York  a  new  outlet  to  the  sea;  one 
in  a  different  direction  from  the  harbor  channels,  and  available  when  those 
were  temporarily  closed  by  adverse  winds  or  other  causes,  and  would, 
therefore,  be  a  permanent  and  valuable  resource  both  for  those  vessels 
outward  bound  and  for  those  returning  home. 

But  a- still  more  serious  consideration  is  that  of  the  increased  facilities 
for  naval  defence  which  this  improvement  would  afford.  In  the  event  of 
a  rupture  with  a  naval  power,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  attempt  in 
the  last  war  to  ravage  the  shores  of  Long  Island  sound,  and  to  prey  upon 
its  domestic  commerce,  will  be  repeated.  The  means  of  resisting  or  pre- 
venting such  hostilities  must  be  drawn  chiefly  from  New  York;  and  if 
the  Hurl  Gate  passage  be  made  secure,  not  only  our  largest  men-of-war, 
but  our  steamboats  of  a  superior  class,  which  on  such  occasions  would 
be  armed  for  the  purpose  of  defence,  would  be  at  once  enabled  to  hasten 
to  the  scene  of  danger. 

The  steamboats  are  now  constantly  passing  through  Hurl  Gate;  but  the 
difficulties  of  the  passage  would  to  them  be  seriously  increased  if  they 
were  pressed  down  by  a  naval  armament  and  equipped  for  action. 

During  the  war  with  Great  Britain  our  frigates  were  blockaded  in  the 
harbor  of  NeAV  York,  which  could  not  have  been  the  case  if  the  Hurl  Gate 
passage  had  been  open.  Commodore  Decatur  venttired  to  carry  his 
squadron  through,  but  with  such  risk  that  the  attempt  with  a  frigate  was 


[12] 


4 


only  made  once  afterwards;  notwithstanding  th6  constantly  reclirring  ne- 
cessity. 

The  removal,  therefore,  of  the  obstrtictions  to  the  safe  navigation  of 
Hurl  Gate,  is  recommended  by  a  regard  to  the  future  naval  defences  of  the 
country. 

The  dangers  in  this  channel  arise  from  the  great  strength  of  the  cur- 
rent, and  the  number  and  positions  of  the  rocks  and  reefs.  The  strength 
of  the  current  is  such,  that  sailing  vessels  can  only  stem  its  force  or  es- 
cape from  it  by  a  commanding  breeze ;  but  as  the  main  course  of  the  flood 
tide  keeps  the  middle  of  the  eastern  channel,  it  is  most  secure  for  vessels 
"which  are  coming  from  the  westward  with  the  tide  to  place  themselves  in 
the  centre  of  the  stream,  and  follow  its  direction.  They  are  thus  carried 
through  in  safety.  This  plan,  however,  is  inadmissible  for  any  but  small 
vessels,  on  account  of  two  rocks,  the  ^^Pot,"  and  the  Frying-pan," 
which  lie  in  or  very  near  the  mid-channel,  are  in  the  way  both  going 
to  the  eastward  and  westward,  and  have  but  little  water  on  them  at  low 
tide.  There  is  also  a  reef,  called  Way's  reef,"  which  lies  in  the  course 
followed  ty  the  steamboats  principally,  when  coming  from  the  eastward 
against  a  strong  flood.  It  is  their  custom  to  keep  close  around  Pot  cove, 
and  run  up  under  Hallet's  point;  by  so  doing  they  avoid  the  strength  of  the 
flood.    In  this  part  they  find  an  eddy  current  in  their  favor. 

But  in  the  ebb,  the  greatest  danger  arises  from  the  divergence  of  the 
current  at  a  point  marked  (A)  on  the  sketch,  where  the  ebb  tide  branches 
ofi"  into  three  directions,  to  take  the  course  of  the  three  channels — the 
main  south  channel,  the  middle  channel,  and  the  eastern  channel. 

The  safe  navigation  depends  here  upon  deciding  sufliciently  soon  at 
the  point  of  separation  which  channel  shall  be  taken;  and  the  neglect  to 
do  this,  or  a  loss  of  control  over  the  vessel  for  any  reason^  frequently  re- 
sults in  being  carried  on  the  Gridiron." 

When  a  vessel  that  has  attempted  the  eastern  channel  finds  herself  car- 
ried towards  the  Gridiron,"  her  only  chance  for  safety  is  to  run  for  the 
middle  channel,  which  is  narrow,  and  made  precarious  by  the  middle 
reef,  the  outer  rock  of  which  is  the     Negro  Head." 

The  Gridiron"  is — owing  to  the  strong  set  of  tide  On  it — the  most 
dangerous  reef  in  the  passage. 

The  reef  known  as  the  ^'^  Bread-and-Cheese,"  on  the  eastern  end  of 
Blackwell's  island,  is  also  very  dangerous.  Vessels  are  liable  to  go  on  it 
on  the  flood  when  it  is  covered,  by  getting  into  the  eddy  near  it,  with  a 
light  wind.  The  chief  danger  is  on  the  ebb,  and  from  the  same  cause  as 
that  which  makes  the  Gridiron"  dangerous;  that  is,  the  strong  set  of  tide 
in  that  direction. 

These,  then,  are  the  principal  dangers;  and  I  recommend  that  the  fol- 
lowing measures  be  adopted  for  their  removal  and  correction  : 

1st.  That  ^^Pot  rock,"  the  Frying-pan,"  and  Way's  reef,"  be 
blasted  and  scattered.  The  two  former  are  single  rocks,  of  a  pointed 
shape;  the  latter  is  long,  and  has  the  character  of  a  ledge.  (The  rocks 
ha\ing  deep  water  around  them  could  be  easily  removed.)  And  also, 
that  the  middle  reef  be  blasted  so  as  to  make  a  clean  channel  of  suflicient 
depth  for  common  vessels  and  steamboats  between  Flood"  and  '■^  Little 
Mill"  rocks. 

2d.  That  piers  be  built  upon  the  Hog's  Back,"  Gridiron,"  and  the 
Bread-and-Cheese/'  of  stone,  sufficiendy  high  to  show  above  the  sur- 


[12] 


face  of  the  \V^ater  at  high  tide,  at  least  four  feet.  That  these  piers  be 
faced  with  wood,  and  be  provided  with  the  spring  fenders  used  at  the 
steamboat  ferries,  and  that  their  forms  should  correspond  to  the  natural 
shape  of  the  reef;  by  which  means,  vessels  coming  in  contact  with  them 
would  be  guided  into  the  channel-ways. 

To  blow  up  and  scatter  the  large  masses  of  rock  composing  the  Grid- 
iron," without  destroying  the  middle  channel,  which  has  only  twenty- 
two  feet  of  water  in  it  at  that  point,  would  hardly  be  possible.  But  if  the 
"  Gridiron"  were  removed,  the  rock  out  of  water  (that  is,  Flood  rock") 
would  be  equally  or  nearly  as  dangerous.  The  tide  would  set  on  that 
with  the  same  violence  and  certainty. 

The  same  objections  will  apply  to  an  attempt  to  remove  the  Bread- 
and- Cheese."  And  in  regard  to  this  and  Hog's  Back,"  the  shoal  water 
around  them  would  make  it  necessary  to  repeat  the  blasting  an  indefinite 
number  of  times. 

Something  has  been  said  of  removing  and  scattering  all  the  rocks  in 
Hurl  Gate — those  out  of  water  as  Avell  as  those  under  water;  but  it  ap- 
pears to  me  that  this  proposition  is  best  answered  by  asking  where  the 
materials  are  to  go?  Unless  carried  off,  they  must  obstruct  the  neighbor- 
ing channels,  and  the  process  of  blasting  would  never  be  completed. 

By  the  piers  which  I  propose,  the  directions  of  the  currents  would  be 
made  more  certain  and  confined,  and  when  they  pass  over  deep  water 
they  may  be  safely  trusted.  Tides  woUld  rebound  from  the  piers,  and  in 
most  instances  prevent  vessels  from  striking  against  them.  And 
again,  if  vessels  were  carried  on,  they  would  be  prevented  from  receiving 
any  injury  by  the  spring  fenders,  and  would  have  an  opportunity,  by 
throwing  a  line  around  a  spile,  either  to  swing  the  vessel  or  lie  by,  as 
might  be  most  convenient. 

There  are  several  single  rocks,  less  important,  and  near  the  shore, 
which  might  easily  be  removed;  one,  for  instance,  off  the  Negro  point, 
and  one  near  the  south  ferry^ 

Until  this  passage  is  improved,  by  the  removal  of  the  present  serious 
impediments  to  its  safe  navigation,  I  recommend  that  the  following  buoys 
be  placed  : 

One  on  Way's  reef."  I  have  already  mentioned  that  steamboats 
coming  from  the  eastward  on  the  flood,  pass  inside  of  Way's  reef," 
where  an  eddy  tide  is  found  setting  towards  Hallet's  point.  This  eddy, 
produced  by  the  whirls  of  the  Pot,"  rebounds  from  the  shore  and  sets 
on  to    Way's  reef,"  where  it  is  met  by  one  of  the  direct  whirls  of  the 

Pot."  By  this  conflict  of  tides,  two  straight  currents  are  produced  that 
run  side  by  side  over  the  reef;  the  outer  one  southerly,  or  flood,  the  inner 
one  northerly,  or  counter  to  the  direction  of  the  main  body  of  the  tide. 

One  on  Hog's  Back."  Vessels  intending  to  take  the  main  ship 
channel  on  the  ebb  (which  is  the  best  way)  are  in  danger,  if  they  give 
Hog's  Back  too  wide  a  berth  on  going  on  Mill  reef,"  of  being  forced  to 
run  the  middle  channel;  which  is  only  safe  to  those  who  are  very  well 
acquainted  with  the  ground.    A  buoy  would  enable  a  vessel  to  keep  near 

Hog's  Back,"  and  avoid  this  danger. 

One  on  Rylander's  reef."  This  reef  is  dangerously  situated,  on  ac- 
count of  the  deep  water  around  it,  and  is  not  well  known, 

I  will  also  recommend  a  small  light  on  Great  Mill  Rock,"  which  will 
enable  vessels  to  pass  through  Hurl  Gate  at  night.  It  would  be  the  proper 


[12] 


B 


guide  for  hauling  round  Negro  point  coming  from  the  eastward  ^^nd  for 
hauhng  to  the  southward  coming  from  the  westward,  after  passing  Hal- 
let's  point. 

The  character  of  the  rocks  in  Hurl  Gate  is  such  that  they  could  be 
easily  removed  by  blasting.  The  strata  are  chiefly  in  a  horizontal  direc- 
tion, and  are  open.  This  opinion  is  formed  from  the  appearance  of  the 
rocks  above  water. 

I  have  the  honor,  &c.,  &c., 

CHARLES  HENRY  DAVIS, 
Lieutenant  concmanding  U.  S.  Navy, 

Assistant  Coast  Survey, 

A.  D.  r*ACHE,  L.  L.  D., 

Siipt.  U.  S.  Coast  Survey,  Washington. 


Report  of  Lieutenant  Commanding  David  D.  Porter,  of  the  survey  of 
Hurl  Gate,  made  October  30,  1848,  and  communicated  by  Professor 
A.  D.  Br-'che,  Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey,  to  Eben  Meriam, 
for  the  use  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  of  the  City  of  Neio  York. 

United  States  Schooner  Petrel^ 

New  York,  October  30,  1848. 

Sir  :  I  have  been  called  upon  several  times  lately,  by  persons  from 
New  York,  asking  for  information  respecting  the  rocks  and  other  dangers 
about  Hell  Gate,  which  information  I  declined  giving,  and  informed  them 
that  the  proper  method  of  obtaining  it  was  through  the  Superintendent  of 
the  Coast  Survey.  The  Chamber  of  Commerce  meets  in  a  short  time  in 
this  city,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  measures  relative  to  clearing  away  the 
obstructions  of  Hell  Gate,  and  at  the  request  of  the  gentlemen  who  seem 
interested  in  the  matter,  I  lay  before  you  the  information  I  have  collected 
while  sounding  out  the  place. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  made  you  a  full  report  on  the  subject,  but 
a  copy  of  the  report  of  Lieutenant  Charles  H.  Davis,  on  Hell  Gate,  was 
sent  to  me  to-day,  and  I  find  it  so  full  and  correct  in  all  its  details,  that 
I  could  say  but  little  more  without  incurring  the  charge  of  plagiarism;  in 
fact,  the  opinions  expressed  by  Lieutenant  Davis  coincide  with  those  I 
had  formed  previous  to  reading  his  report;  and  it  only  remains  for  me  to 
point  out  the  dangers  I  have  noticed  while  surveying  here,  and  which 
have  escaped  his  attention.  I  have  also  had  a  better  opportunity  of  meas- 
uring the  size  and  shape  of  the  rocks  than  he  had,  and  herewith  give  a 
description  of  them. 

The  first  in  order,  and  the  principal  obstruction  in  Hell  Gate,  is  Pot 
rock,"  on  Avhich  I  found  eight  feet  of  water  at  the  lowest  tides.  The 
average  depth,  however,  is  about  ten  feet.  The  lowest  depth  is. only  to 
be  found  iii  one  place  about  six  feet  square ;  it  deepens  to  fourteen  feet  on 
the  east  and  west  sides,  and  suddenly  to  four  fathoms  on  the  north  and 
south.  The  strata  of  the  rock  are  vertical,  running  north  and  south, 
which  is  the  case  with  every  rock  in  the  Gate;  and  this  would  render  the 
task  of  blowing  them  up  much  easier  than  if  horizontal.  At  half  tides, 
the  depth  of  water  does  not  increase  on  Pot  rock,"  as  there  is 
at  least  a  fall  of  four  feet,  and  a  vessel  drawing  over  eight  feet  must  strike 


7 


[  12J 


upon  it.  A  full-rigged  brig  struck  it  three  days  since ,  and  went  down 
with  a  valuable  cargo  on  board.  This  obstruction  once  removed^  Hell 
Gate  would  be  less  dangerous  by  one  half,  and  the  eddies^  which  are  now 
the  cause  of  half  the  difficulties,  would  in  a  measure  disappear. 

Way's  reef/' to  the  southward  of  Pot  rock,"  is  divided  into  two 
parts — one  a  conical  rock,  with  five  feet  on  it,  and  the  other  a  flat  bed  of 
rocks,  about  ten  feet  square,  with  fourteen  feet  of  water,  and  twenty  yards 
to  the  north  of  the  former.  The  five  feet  rock  lies  on  the  edge  of  the 
eddy,  and  I  found,  by  experiment,  that  a  buoy  sunk  eight  feet  deep,  and 
let  go  in  mid-channel  above  the  north  entrance,  drifted  directly  over 

Way 's  reef."  This  was  with  a  light  breeze  from  the  rorthwest.  I 
kept  a  buoy  on  this  place  while  sounding.  It  watched  generally,  and 
almost  always  with  the  tide  flood.  Since  I  removed  it,  one  A'essel  has 
struck  on  the  reef.  I  would  recommend  that  a  buoy,  in  the  shape  of  a 
boat,  be  placed  upon  it  until  it  is  removed. 

There  is  a  dangerous  rock,  called  ^^Bald-headed  Billy,"  fifteen  yards 
from  Hatter's  dock,  which  is  dry  at  low  water,  and  brings  up"  a  num- 
ber of  vessels  at  high  water.  Three  vessels  struck  upon  this  rock  while 
I  was  at  Hell  Gate;  one  we  got  off  with  some  difficulty — another  lost  bow- 
sprit, anchors,  and  chains.  It  is  a  single  rock,  six  feet  square,  and  could 
be  floated  into  deep  water  without  much  difficulty.  Opposite  Gib'>s's 
point,  and  within  fifty  yards  of  Blackwell's  island,  is  a  large  rock,  which 
I  have  called  '^^Blackwell's  rock."  The  current  sets  directly  upon  it 
with  the  liood  tide,  and  it  is  a  most  dangerous  obstruction.  It  is  six  feet 
out  of  water  at  low  tide,  and  could  be  removed  at  small  expense. 

The  Frying-pan"  rock  is  a  ledge  fifteen  feet  long,  and  only  six  inches 
wide  at  the  top.  It  runs  north  and  south,  and  is  a  part  of  the  chain  of 
rocks  which  run  from  Hog's  Back"  to  Hallet's  point.  A  buoy  let  go 
in  mid-channel,  at  half-ebb,  drifted  directly  over  the  Frying-pan"  with 
a  light  northwest  wind.  It  is  at  this  point  where  the  currents  divide, 
taking  the  directions  of  the  main  and  middle  channels.  This  rock  re- 
moved, vessels  would  always  drift  through  the  main  ship  channel.  The 
difficulties  of  removing  it  would  be  much  greater  than  any  other  rock  in 
the  Gate,  as  it  is  so  diificult  to  hit  upon  it. 

There  is  a  small  rock,  though  a  very  dangerous  one,  to  the  southward 
of  Woolsey's  bath-house.  It  extends  about  fifty  yards  out  into  the  chan- 
nel, and  is  connected  with  the  shore  line  at  low  water.  There  is  three 
feet  of  water  on  it  at  high  tides.  On  the  first  of  the  flood,  a  buoy  let  go 
opposite  Gibbs's  point,  (the  southern  approach  to  Hell  Gate,)  drifted 
around  Hallet's  point,  between  Pot  rock"  and  Way's  reef,"  along  the 
edge  of  the  eddies,  and  over  the  above  mentioned  rock  into  Pot  cove." 
This  happens  to  a  great  many  vessels,  and  but  for  this  dangerous  ob- 
struction, they  would  drift  into  a  safe  harbor.  _  This  rock  could  be  re- 
moved in  one  or  two  low  tides. 

I  find  that  '^Rylander's  reef"  extends  much  further  into  the  channel 
than  is  shown  by  former  charts.  I  found  six  feet  of  water  on  the  outer 
point  of  it.  Nothing  can  be  done  with  this  large  bed  of  rocks  but 
to  erect  a  stone  beacon  on  the  shoalest  part.  This  will  save  many  a 
vessel. 

Hallet's  point  I  should  recommend,  by  all  means,  to  be  removed.  It  is 
the  most  accessible  obstruction  in  Hell  Gate,  and  could  be  worked  at  four 
or  five  hours  each  day.    At  flood  tide  it  causes  the  eddies  in Pot  cove/' 


[12] 


8 


and  on  the  ebb  tide  the  eddies  in  East  channel.  Vessels,  standing  too 
close  to  the  point  on  ebb  tide,  are  apt  to  be  caught  in  these  eddies  and 
thrown  on  shore  opposite  Steven's  fortj  and  vessels  passing  at  high  water, 
when  the  point  is  entirely  hid,  are  apt  to  strike  upon  it.  It  extends  forty 
yards  into  the  channel,  and  has  eighteen  feet  of  water  at  its  uttermost 
point. 

If  any  attempt  is  made  to  carry  out  the  recommendations  that  have 
been  frequently  offered,  relative  to  clearing  away  rocks  in  Hell  Gate,  I 
would  suggest  a  close  examination  of  the  shore  line  at  low  water.  Many 
rocks  will  be  found  to  exist  of  a  dangerous  character,  and  they  have  at  dif- 
ferent times  done  much  damage  to  vessels  of  lighter  draught.  One  point  I 
would  recommend  for  removal  is  Scaly  rock,"  and  close  to  it  Shell 
rock" — ^both  dangerous  at  high  water,  from  the  fact  of  their  extending  so 
far  into  the  channel. 

Two  vessels  have  gone  on  shore,  while  I  have  been  at  work  here,  on  a 
point  called  Ravensworth  reef,"  to  the  southward  of  Gibbs's  point.  Both 
vessels  bilged,  and  were  nearly  ruined.  I  would,  recommend  a  buoy  to 
be  placed  upon  it,  as  it  will  be  difficult  to  remove. 

The  suggestions  made  by  Lieutenant  Davis,  about  building  docks 
above  some  of  the  reefs,  I  approve  of  in  their  fullest  extent.  I  do  not 
think,  however,  it  will  be  found  easy  to  make  a  channel  by  blasting 
through  the  middle  reef,  and  would  suggest  that  it  be  entirely  filled  in 
with  docks  and  spring  fenders. 

Bread-and-Cheese,"  as  it  now  stands,  is  one  of  the  most  troublesome 
points  to  avoid  in  Hell  Gate.  Heretofore  it  has  had  nothing  on  it  to  indi- 
cate the  danger  at  high  water.  At  low  water  it  shows  its  entire  shape 
and  size.  I  placed  a  large  pole  on  the  outer  point.  It  is  so  firmly  fixed 
that  it  will  remain  there  until  cut  away  by  the  ice.  I  have  been  assured 
the  pole  has,  no  doubt,  prevented  many  vessels  from  running  on  the 
point;  and  I  Avould  recommend  strongly,  that  an  iron  spindle  be  placed 
firmly  upon  the  same  spot,  until  such  measures  are  taken  to  dock  it  in. 
Moreover,  I  think  it  advisable  to  close  up  a  small  eight  feet  channel  be- 
tween Bread-and- Cheese"  and  Blackwell's  point,  as  it  is  the  cause  of 
the  most  dangerous  eddies.  After  this  is  done,  a  beacon,  to  be  lighted 
up  at  night,  should  be  placed  upon  the  outer  point,  and  would,  in  con- 
nexion with  a  light  on  Mill  rock,"  be  of  great  advantage  to  commerce. 
At  present  there  is  not  a  single  light  from  New  York  to  Throg's  point, 
where  there  should  be  at  least  six. 

In  a  place  where  the  interests  of  so  many  are  at  stake,  the  want  of  at- 
tention to  the  navigation  of  Hell  Gate  appears  like  culpable  neglect.  No 
one  can  form  an  idea  of  the  number  of  vessels  that  go  on  shore  during 
the  course  of  a  month ;  eighteen*  went  on  shore  during  the  period  I  was 
occupied  there,  (two  months,)  and  many  of  them  wej:e  very  much  in- 
jured. I  am  convinced  that  if  proper  measures  were  taken  to  protect  the 
commercial  interests  of  this  great  city,  by  blasting  the  rocks  mentioned 
above,  and  docking  it  as  proposed  by  Lieutenant  Davis,  not  one  vessel 
would  be  lost  in  five  years. 

I  believe  I  have  mentioned  all  the  prominent  dangers;  the  minor  ones 


♦Lieutenant  Commanding  Porter,  in  a  letter  to  Eben  Meriam,  dated  Washington  City,  November 
17,  1848,  says :  "  1  have  stated  in  my  report  that  eighteen  vessels  went  on  shore  during  the 
time  I  was  employed  there.  I  beg  leave  to  correct  this,  and  eay,  that  the  number  was  nearer 
fifty." 


V 


;  i  16 


I'd' 


IV; 


•72^,  ^ 


■  ^>*);  Qua/ <  •('{>'  lieeC 
,'}./.  ■•+...-•■ 


IS 


4-r, 


Tin'  liiil   1 1  IK'    .•iJmu's  Uk'  I'oni'it)'  I /ml    Irsst'/.v  (Irnwiiitj 
]2,feei.  aufi  4>\t'i;  mid  ahtrhiHj  <i/u'  w/un-  fi-oiii  \.,li>  l\,/i/n-c 
f/>  ^(ike  with  the  M  Ti'iJe,iti  orrlcr  h>  r/ftir  lWiiir  '.\-,Oiim/rs  S: 
I>ioiiion(l  /iVv'/i-. 


N  OT  E .  The  SoiiikUikj.-;  HIT  in  /}><'/, /ruVfii  n/  /yfW  liri/i/'. 

Air/^fy  I'cloci/r  "f'         riiriciit  2  Knct.s  />'/<,  ni-. 
f>ixf(inec  itt  a  sh-nitjlif  Inn'  /nun    / >itiiiioiifl  I" 
J'riiH  i's  Href  lliOO  fe/'f  . 


>^riil('  <)r onr  S/nlnfc  Hilc. 
1 


=1. 


■  JllifilmlH  J.it.'i  .  lilt 


0 


[12] 


tvill  be  apparent  to  those  who  make  any  examination  of  Hell  Gate  pre- 
vious to  undertaking  the  work.     I  have  pui-posely  omitted  those  points 
touched  upon  by  Lieutenant  Davis,  as  he  has  said  all  that  is  required. 
I  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  D.  PORTER, 
Lieutenant  Commanding. 

A.  D.  Bache,  Esq., 

Supt.  of  Coast  Survey,  Washington  city. 


Letter  from  Lieute?iant  David  D.  Porter,  U.  S.  Nam/,  to  Ebe7i  Meriam, 
in  relation  to  improve?nent  of  the  chaiinel  of  Hell  Gate,  and  the 
removal  of  the  rocks  in  the  harbor  of  New  York. 

Washington  City,  Nov.  14, 1848. 

Sir  :  I  received  youT  letter  of  November  9,  enclosing  me  instructions 
from  the  Superintendent  to  afford  you  information  relative  to  removing 
the  obstructions  in  Hell  Gate. 

I  made  my  report  to  the  Superintendent  nearly  two  weeks  since,  and^ 
presume  he  will  furnish  you  a  copy  as  soon  as  he  receives  it.  I  have 
therein  stated  the  different  rocks  to  be  removed,  but  will  furnish  you  with 
such  extracts  from  it  as  will  suit  your  purposes. 

I  will  answer  the  question  proposed  to  me  in  your  letter  as  near  as  I 
can ;  but  on  some  of  them  it  is  impossible  to  give  you  the  information  you 
require,  as  it  will  take  some  time  for  me  to  plot  my  work — a  very  minute 
operation,  and  one  that  requires  a  great  deal  of  care.  After  the  work  is 
plotted,  I  could  answer  all  your  questions  to  your  satisfaction. 

Before  I  could  give  you  the  estimate  for  blowing  up  any  of  the  rocks, 
it  would  be  necessary  to  establish  their  size  and  shape,  which  can  only  be 
done  by  a  series  of  levels  a  few  feet  apart.  My  work,  I  think,  is  minute 
enough  for  that  purpose. 

I  have  been  told  that  persons  are  willing  to  contract  for  the  removal  of 
^^Pot  rock"  for  $6,000;  at  that  rate,     W^ay's  reef "  would  cost  §4,000, 

Frying-pan"  $4,000,  and  the  smaller  obstacles  mentioned  in  my  report 
would  cost  very  little,  as  they  are  more  accessible. 

About  Pot  rock"  and  Way's  reef"  the  water  is  very  deep;  it  goes 
from  eight  feet  to  four  fathoms.  If  the  rocks  were  blasted,  the  pieces 
would  be  thrown  into  such  deep  water  that  they  would  offer  no  further 
obstruction  to  navigation . 

I  would  not  recommend  attempting  the  removal  of  the  Gridiron;"  it 
should  be  built  upon,  and  raised  at  least  six  feet  above  high  water  mark, 
and  faced  with  spring  fenders,  like  your  New  York  ferries.  This  would 
make  it'  quite  safe,  and  would  prevent  any  vessel  from  going  on  the 
rocks. 

You  ask  me  what  the  probable  cost  of  improving  the  navigation,  of  Hell 
Gate  would  be.  In  case  anything  of  the  kind  is  undertaken,- 1  do  not 
think  the  cost  should  be  taken  into  consideration;  it  would  be  nothing  in 
comparison  to  the  benefitg  commerce  would  derive  from  it.  All  parts  of 
the  Union  are  more  or  less  interested,  and  in  this  age  of  improvement  it  is 
a  reproach  to  the  countiy ,  that  the  principal,  thoroughfare  of  our  greatest 
commercial  city  should  be  so  neglected.  Thousands  of  dollars  are  annu- 
Mis.— 2 


I  12  ]  10 

ally  sacrificed  there,  when,  with  a  small  outlay,  (compared  with  the  ad- 
vantages,) Hell  Gate  would  be  made  one  of  the  safest  passages  into  New 
York.  I  think  1  speak  within  bounds  when  I  calculate  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  as  the  sum  necessary  to  clear  away  every  obstruction, 
and  make  Hell  Gate  safe  for  the  largest  size  vessels. 

Diamond"  and  ^'  Prince's"  reefs  are  of  small  area,  and  could  be  re- 
moved, by  blasting,  for  about  $6,0U0.  They  are  directly  in  the  way  of 
all  vessels  bound  into  the  East  river,  and  should  have  been  removed  long 
since.  I  did  not  examine  the  rock  you  alluded  to,  off  Walnut  street 
wharf,  and  cannot  give  you  the  information  you  require  about  it.  It  is 
laid  down,  however,  on  the  Coast  Survey  charts,  but  will  require  a  more 
minute  examination  previous  to  removing  it. 

While  surveying  in  Hell  Gate,  I  had  every  opportunity  to  notice  the 
difficulties  encountered  both  by  steam  and  sailing  vessels  in  passing 
through,  and  am  certain  that  all  danger  would  be  removed  if  the  princi- 
pal rocks  were  blown  up.  The  rocks  cause  all  the  eddies  in  which  ves- 
sels become  unmanageable  and  go  on  shore.  I  do  not  remember  the  ex- 
act number  that  went  on  shore  while  I  was  employed  there,  but  in  one 
day  I  saw  no  less  than  eight  of  these  disasters — all  owing  to  the  eddies 
caused  by  Pot  rock."  It  may,  at  first  sight,  appear  a  difficult  task  to 
drill  the  above  mentioned  rocks  under  water;  but  with  the  improvement 
in  the  drill  used  in  the  rock  stratas  on  the  line  of  the  Hudson  and  Albany 
railroad,  it  will  be  found  a  very  practicable  matter. 

I  regret  that  I  am  not  able  to  furnish  you  at  this  moment  the  exact 
data  y(Ui  require,  and  it  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  prepare  it  under 
three  months.  I  think  my  report,  in  connexion  with  that  of  Lieutenant 
Davis,  will  afford  you  sufficient  information  to  start  upon,  and  shall  be 
happy  if,  in  the  observations  I  have  made,  1  shall  be  of  any  service  in 
carrying  out  the  proposed  improvements. 
1  remain  your  obedient  servant, 

DAVID  D.  PORTER, 
Lieutenant  United  States  Navy, 

Eben  Meriam,  Esq. 


Letter  from  Eben  Meriam  to  Lieutenant  Commanding  David  D.  Porter, 
making  specific  inquiries  in  relation  to  Hell  Gate  reefs  and  rocks  in  the 
harbor  of  Neio  York, 

New  York,  November  9,  1848. 

Dear  sir  :  I  herewith  hand  you  the  copy  of  a  letter  I  received  yester- 
day from  A.  D.  Bache,  esq..  Superintendent  of  Coast  Survey. 

The  information  referred  to  in  this  letter  which  I  am  desirous  of  obtain- 
ing first,  is,  as  to  what  time  you  will  probably  make  your  report  to  the 
Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey. 

In  case  your  report  reaches  Washington  before  the  25th  of  this  month, 
it  will  be  in  time  for  my  purposes;  but  if  it  is  probable  that  it  will  be  ' 
delayed  to  a  later  day  than  the  25th,  then,  and  in  that  case,  I  should  be 
glad  to  be  informed  of  the  probable  time  it  will  be  made;  and  in  the  mean  . 
time,  I  wish  to  inquire  as  follows  : 
..  1st.  Ytur  opinion  of  the  probable  expense  of  blasting  *  ^  Pot  rock, ' '  30  feet 


11 


[12] 


below  low  tide,  and  what  effect  you  suppose  such  removal  of  the  upper 
part  of  this  rock  will  have  upon  the  navigation  of  Hell  Gate? 

2d.  The  expense  of  removing  the  reef  known  as  ^M¥ay's  reef,"  and 
if  the  water  around  that  reef  is  sufficiently  deep  to  allow  of  its  being 
blasted  so  that  large  v^essels  can  pass  over  it  with  safety? 

3d.  The  expense  of  removing  the  reef  known  as  the  Gridiron?" 

4th.  I  shall  be  glad  to  be  informed  of  the  depth  of  the  soundings  around 
the  rocks  which  you  have  examined,  which  you  consider  endanger  the 
navigation  of  Hell  Gate. 

5th.  The  probable  expense  of  improving  the  navigation  of  Hell  Gate 
to  make  it  safe  for  steamers  and  sail  vessels,  and  such  as  to  enable  the 
largest  of  our  line  of  battle-ships  to  pass  through  with  safety  in  case  of 
war? 

6th.  The  situation  of  the  rocks  in  the  harbor  of  New  York  known  as 
Prince's  reef,"  and     Diamond  reef,"  and  the  probable  expense  of  re- 
moving these  rocks,  and  if  the  removal  can  probably  be  accomplished  by 
blasting? 

When  I  saw  you  at  Hell  Gate,  at  the  time  you  were  engaged  in  making 
the  survey  in  the  United  Stites  schooner  Petrel,  I  did  not  hear  you  make 
any  remarks  as  to  a  rock  in  East  river  near  Walnut  street  ferry.  I  wish 
now  to  inquire  if  that  rock  was  examined  by  you,  and  what  you  found 
its  situation  to  be  as  to  location,  depth  of  water  upon  it  at  low  tide,  and 
your  opinion  of  the  probable  expense  of  removing  it,  and  whether  this 
can  be  accomplished  by  blasting? 

I  mentioned  to  you  that  a  new  drill  had  been  invented  for  drilling 
rocks,  Avhich  greatly  expedites  the  labor,  and  that  I  had  seen  a  model  of 
the  drill,  and  a  machine  to  work  it,  at  Lockpit,  when  examining  the  deep 
borings  of  the  salt  well  at  tliat  locality.  Since  the  last  interview  I  had 
with  you  I  have  called  on  .Tames  Boorman,  esq.,  and  made  inquiry  as  to 
the  use  of  the  new  drill  in  the  rock  stratas  on  the  line  of  the  Hudson 
and  Albany  railroad.  Mr.  Boorman  informs  me  that  five  times  the  work 
can  be  done  with  the  new  drill  that  can  be  performed  with  the  old  one  in 
the  same  time.  As  much  drilling  will  be  required  to  be  done  in  remov- 
ing the  rocks,  I  considered  this  information  would  be  useful  to  you. 

Your  opportunities  of  seeing  the  difficulties  encountered  by  steam  as 
well  as  sail  vessels  in  passing  through  Hell  Gate,  while  there  with  the 
United  States  schooner  Petrel,  making  soundings,  enable  you  to  form  a 
correct  opinion  as  to  the  danger  which  these  rocks  there  offer  to  safe  navi- 
gation. I  think  I  understood  you,  or  some  of  the  officers  of  the  Petrel,  to 
say  that  upwards  of  fifty  vessels  had  been  on  shore  there  during  a  period 
of  one  month,  and  that  seven  of  those  disasters  occurred  in  one  day.  Am 
I  right  in  my  recollection  of  your  remarks  in  this  particular? 

I  shall  be  glad  to  be  informed  of  any  matter  touching  the  premises 
that  you  may  deem  important  to  communicate,  and  of  such  suggastions 
as  to  the  best  mode  of  rendering  this  navigation  safe  that  you  may  be 
pleased  to  make. 

With  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

EBEN  MERIAM, 

David  D.  Porter,  Esq., 

Lieut,  commanding  U.  S.  schooner  Petrel, 


[12] 


12 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  A.  D.  Bache,  Esq.,  Superintendent  of  Coast  Sur* 
vey,  to  Ehen  Meriam,  referred  to  in  the  preceding  letter. 

Office  of  Superintendent  of  Coast  Survey, 

November  2,  1848. 

Sir  :  In  compliance  with  your  request,  I  herewith  send  you  a  copy  of 
Lieutenant  Commanding  Porter's  report  on  Buttermilk  channel,  and  have 
requested  him  to  furnish  you  such  information  as  you  may  desire  for  im- 
mediate use,  in  anticipation  of  his  report,  not  yet  received,  on  the  sound- 
ings in  Hell  Gate  and  its  vicinity.  Your  application  being  addressed  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  instead  of  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  or 
to  the  Superintendent  of  the  coast  survey,  has  produced  some  delay.  I 
hope,  however,  you  may  receive  in  time  what  you  desire  for  present 
use,  and  will  forward  to  you  Lieutenant  Commanding  Porter's  report 
when  received,  and,  if  desired,  a  tracing  of  his  new  soundings. 
Yours  respectfully, 

A.  D.  BACHE, 
Superintendent  of  U.  S.  Coast  Survey. 
Eben  Meriam,  Esq.,  New  York. 


Letter  from  Hon.  R.  J.  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to  Eben 

Meriam. 

Treasury  Department, 

November  10,  1848. 

Sir  :  In  reference  to  the  request  made  in  your  letter  without  date,  just 
received,  to  have  the  president  of  the  New  York  Chamber  of  Commerce 
liirnished  from  the  coast  survey  archives  with  copies  of  the  survey  and 
soundings  at  Hell  Gate,  recently  made  by  Lieutenant  Porter,  assistant  in 
said  survey,  I  have  to  inform  you,  that  on  the  receipt  of  your  former  let- 
ter, dated  the  20th  ultimo,  the  Superintendent  of  Coast  Survey,  Profes- 
sor A.  D.  Bache,  was  authorized  and  instructed  to  furnish  copies  of  the 
survey  and  soundings,  as  requested,  so  soon  as  they  could  be  prepared. 
That  officer  is  now  on  duty  in  North  Carolina,  and  will  no  doubt  give 
immediate  attention  to  the  subject  on  his  return  to  Washington,  where  he 
is  shortly  expected . 

Yours,  respectfully, 

R.  J.  WALKER, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Ebexv  Meriam,  Esq.,  New  York. 


Letter  from  Professor  A.  D.  Bache,  Superintendent  of  the  Coast  Survey, 

to  Eben  Meriam. 

Camp  near  Middle  of  Base,  Bodie's  Island,  N.  C, 

November  11,  1848. 

Sir  :  On  the  —  instant,  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  Lieuten- 
.ant  Commanding  Porter_,  assistant  in  the  coast  survey,  had  been  author- 


13 


[12] 


ized  ^nd  directed  to  furnish  such  information  as  might  be  desired  by  the 
Chamber  of  Commerce  of  New  York^  in  reference  to  the  obstructions 
at  Hell  Gate,  in  anticipation  of  his  regular  report.  I  have  just  received 
the  report,  of  which  a  copy  is  annexed,  from  Lieutenant  Commanding 
Porter,  and  hasten  to  transmit  it  to  you.  It  is  full  of  valuable  sug- 
gestions. You  will  see  that  subsequent  minute  examinations  of  Lieu- 
tenant Commanding  Porter  confirm  the  results  of  Lieutenant  Command- 
ing Davis. 

Yours,  respectfully, 

A.  D.  BACHE, 
Superintendent  of  U.  S.  Coast  Survey. 
£ben  Meriam,  Esq..  New  York. 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
Gift  of  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


I 


